The residents of 70 houses in Merseyside have been allowed to return to their homes, after the failed controlled collapse of a nearby tower block meant that an exclusion zone has been in place since Sunday 24 April to allow for a staged demolition.

One Vision Housing received planning permission earlier this year to demolish Montgomery House and Churchill House, with J Bryan appointed to carry out a controlled demolition on both 14-storey buildings simultaneously.

However, while the collapse of both towers was scheduled for Sunday 24 April, only the demolition of Churchill was successful, after an initial failed attempt. The contractor then tried to demolish Montgomery House with explosives again on Monday 25 April, which also failed.

Those living within close proximity to the tower blocks were due to leave their homes for only a short period on demolition day, however were left temporarily accommodated in hotels.

A specialist high-reach excavator crane, known as the Glasgow Pulveriser, was brought in towards the end of last week, to demolish the tower in phases, taking down three floors each day.

After work throughout the bank holiday weekend brought the structure down to a safe height, the exclusion zone has been lifted. According to J Bryan, remedial cleaning will be taking place in the public areas within the exclusion zone.

There are currently no plans to build on the sites of Churchill House and Montgomery House at Kings Park, but the plot will be made safe, levelled and turfed.